Around 2,000 senior citizens of Barangay Don Andres Soriano, the largest barangay in Toledo, received food packs of three kilos each last September 2.

The activity is through the “Halad Alang Kang Lolo ug Lola” program of the Cebu Provincial Government.

The distribution was led by Vice Governor Agnes Magpale, Provincial Board Member Grecilda Sanchez, Toledo City.Vice Mayor Antonio Yapha and barangay captain Jeffrey Cabrera. It was held at the senior citizen’s center of Barangay Don Andres Soriano.

A grateful 75-year-old Arcenia Albarico shared that the gift pack would help her get through a month since she is living alone.

“Siguro maabtan ni og usa ka buwan kay ako man lang usa pero daku kaayo ni og tabang kay ang para palit nako og bugas, mapalit nako ogtambal (This food pack may last for a month since I am living alone. The money that I should use for buying rice can be used to buy my medicine),” said Albarico.

Albarico had a heart surgery nine months ago and she had to maintain four kinds of medicine.

Modesta Opiña, 57, also claimed the gift packs of her husband (61) and her mother (80) who are both sick.

Opiña said that she is the only one who works for the family and she had to work two jobs to make ends meet.

“Salamat kaayo sa mga nagmugna ani nga programa. Wala lang sila kahibaw nga daku na kining tabang namo (I am very thankful to the people behind this program. They might not know it but they have helped us a lot),” Opiña added.

Matilde Dutosme, Quirina Tuquib and Olivia Nabal were also grateful for the gift packs that they receive. They also expressed that they are looking forward to more programs for the senior citizens from the government.

ABOUT

Cebu is a province of the Philippines located in the Central Visayas (Region VII) region, and consisting of a main island and 167 surrounding islands and islets.

Cebu is one of the most developed provinces in the Philippines, with Cebu City as the main center of commerce, trade, education and industry in the Visayas. In a decade it has transformed into a global hub for shipping, furniture-making, tourism, business processing services, and heavy industry.